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Michael Biehl Park Opens to Applause

03/30/2007 -

Innovative public/private partnership delivers on promise of new community park

VENICE, Florida -- March 30, 2007 -- A large crowd turned out this morning for the opening of Michael Biehl Park, located at the corner of U.S. 41 Business and West Tampa Avenue, the gateway of downtown Venice. Mayor Fred Hammett, among others involved with the park project, spoke in opening remarks about the wonderful and unprecedented public/private partnership that went into transforming a vacant lot into a vibrant community park.

The park, now officially open to the public, features a water fountain, old-style wooden park benches, and a variety of native Floridian plants and trees. It was made possible by the Sarasota Conservation Foundation, supported by a generous grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice and the construction efforts by the City of Venice. The park's centerpiece is a granite etching by Helm Vault Services of John Nolen's original plan for the city of Venice. Set against the backdrop of a panoramic mural of Florida nature by local artist BJ Carson, the park also serves as an access point for the biking and walking trail in Venetian Waterway Park.

Albert Joerger, Founder and President of Sarasota Conservation Foundation, publicly thanked those who helped create the park. Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the largest community foundation in Florida, provided a grant of more than $412,000 that made the acquisition of this land possible. Joerger noted that this grant was a catalyst that helped launch our organization. "This was our first project," said Joerger. "Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice not only wrote a check for our organization, and supplied countless introductions but also inspired the staff of the Sarasota Conservation Foundation to a level of professionalism which has made our tremendous success possible."

"They have catalyzed not only a Park but an ‘emerald necklace' of protected lands on the Gulf Coast's waterfront," added Joerger. "We have leveraged this grant to over $265 million for parks and protected land. The City of Venice, in an unprecedented public/private partnership, donated approximately $350,000 to design and landscape this Park. Furthermore, they are going to maintain the park in perpetuity. Jean Trammel commissioned the scenic mural and Michael Biehl made a generous gift to Sarasota Conservation Foundation to support its mission. It's the shared vision of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, the City of Venice and the Sarasota Conservation Foundation and donors like Michael Biehl, Jean Trammel, and Phil Delaney at Northern Trust Bank that gives the Sarasota Conservation Foundation staff the confidence to move forward with their bold mission of protecting the Gulf Coast's bays beaches, and barrier islands."

Mayor Fred Hammett, addressing the impressive crowd, said, "No one of us had the money, the time or the expertise, the creativity or the energy to create this place alone. But together, we have created an outstanding community resource. It is truly fitting that the sign says ‘a place for people to be together.'"

Hammett concluded by explaining how Michael Biehl Park fits with the city's vision: "This park helps fulfill City Council's promise of bringing its vision - the vision of a charming, picturesque downtown, with a natural beach for public use, connected for easy movement and access, with natural and designed beauty - the city's Vision 2020 - to reality."

Joerger described the park project as "a social capital partnership between the City of Venice, Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Sarasota Conservation Foundation, Venice Little Theater, and the people of Venice.

Joerger also thanked Michael Biehl, saying that Biehl "was drawn to our area for at least two of the same reasons we were: the nature and the wildlife. But what inspired him to this cause was his realization that these things must be preserved and protected."

The dedication ceremony was followed by a reception for Michael Biehl and other key players in bringing the park project to life. For more information on Michael Biehl Park or on Sarasota Conservation Foundation, please contact Albert Joerger at (941) 918-2100.